The Cyber Security Checklist: Make Sure Employees Follow These 4 Cyber Security Best Practices

Cyber security is a major concern for all businesses and organizations. Despite having secured infrastructure, tools, and teams; companies and organizations can face a great loss with the small mistake of its employees.

Employees are the working body of any organization and must be well aware of cyber security threats. Whether you are working in a small setup or a part of a big organization, you can be a security threat for your company.

So it is essential to know about cyber security practices that can save your organization from data theft and help you in playing your part in strengthening your company’s security.

Best Cyber Security Practices for Employees

In the recent era of rising cyber security threats, it is a must for every employee and individual linked with an organization to be vigilant while dealing with the company’s data, files, and software.

Here is a cyber security checklist that all your employees must follow:

1. Avoid Unknown and Suspicious Links

Phishing is one of the most commonly used techniques for accessing the data. The scammers urge you to open a pop-up window or click on links containing malware by creating a sense of urgency.

They can also fool you with phishing emails, addressing you directly and asking for your log in information or by using similar to authentic receptionists that you might trust in your negligence.

You need to be aware of these phishing attacks and be extra vigilant when clicking on any links or pop-up windows especially while using the company’s device. You should not open any email that is not from authorized receptionists and never ever enter your login details until and unless you are sure about the receptionist or host site.

2. Safeguard the Details

Your login ID and password is your key towards accessing company’s software or data. It must be protected the same way you safeguard your own confidential details. It must not be accessed by anyone either within or outside the organization no matter how close they are.

Related: The Top 5 Cyber Threat Misunderstandings of SMB Decision Makers

Leaking such details can give access to the company’s interface to any unauthorized person.

Similarly, discussing the company’s security details, plans and data with friends and family are prohibited. It is not only illegal, it is unethical too. So be extra vigilant while dealing with organizational affairs and be conscious of what you are sharing with others.

3. Protect Your Password

If there’s one piece of advice to take away from this cyber security checklist, it is this: always use strong passwords for all your accounts. Most companies provide hard to decode passwords to their employees and they are the safest to use.

But if your company doesn’t provide a complex password, create one yourself. Avoid using your name, date of birth or any other general information as your password as they are the easiest to decode.

Use a mix of both uppercase and lowercase letters with the addition of numerals and characters to create strong and unique passwords. These passwords are hard to decode and make your accounts more secure. Also, keep changing your password every now and then to avoid hacking.

4. Use Multi-Factor Authentication

Most companies ask their employees to use multi-factor or two-factor authentication for their accounts. The authentication includes fingerprint verification along with password or face recognition and a secret code to access the company’s software.

These added layers of authentication seem like an added hassle for employees, but they make accounts secure by ensuring access to only authorized personnel.